Both guys are just that, a little skinnier than a year ago, when placekicker Sandro DeAngelis and punter Burke Dales earned the jobs as rookies.

Dales has lost almost 30 lb., while his kicking cohort dropped 10 before gaining half of it back during his honeymoon in Las Vegas, the land of the all-night buffets.

Luckily, DeAngelis's vegetarian bride managed to keep her hoofing hubby away from the all-you-can eat delights. Now he's back in camp working to return to his playing weight of 190 lb.

"I only made it to one buffet," DeAngelis said with a shrug, up to his elbows in a post-practice cold tub. "It's not worth 25 bucks if your wife isn't going to eat the prime rib and all that good stuff."

The Stampeders have so much confidence in the young tandem, the team didn't even bring competition into camp this spring. Keeping the twosome company the next two weeks is former CFL kicker Terry Baker, who also worked with them in their rookie season.

"It is interesting and I'm actually pretty pleased they didn't," DeAngelis said of the vote of confidence.

DeAngelis was second in the CFL last year in total kicking points while his 76.9% field-goal rate was the best in the loop.

Dales' 44.3-yard punting average was the league's fifth-best mark.

Dales was surprised to find no punting competition in camp, although the Stampeders invested in his development two months ago making it clear it was his job.

"I was quite surprised there's nobody else here but we put a lot of work in during the off-season," Dales said.

"I had the opportunity to travel to Virginia where (special teams co-ordinator) Craig Dickenson and I worked with punting specialist Bill Renner.

"It was excellent. I was able to take a few things from that an implement that into my technique. It's very subtle things to make me more consistent."

DeAngelis wasn't as surprised but happy nonetheless about vote of confidence.

"It's nice to know they believe in you and are pretty comfortable with you and there's going to be no head games being played here," DeAngelis said.

"Every year, I want to get better and they've taken the step of bringing Terry Baker in here as Burke's and my personal coach. There's nothing Terry hasn't seen where he can't pass on a little something to us."